Coming out with a relief for the patients in the State, Himachal Pradesh Government on Tuesday announced that 330 drugs and consumables would be provided free to the patients taking treatment in Government health facilities.
The decision was taken in the meeting of cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The Cabinet decided to provide medicines (drugs) and consumable free of cost to all the patients irrespective of any income criteria at all public health facilities in the State.
The Cabinet decided to include more medicines and consumables in the free drug policy of the State Government. A budget provision of Rs 71 crore is available for this and 330 number free medicines and consumables would be provided to the patients under Indira Gandhi Free Medicines Scheme.
The Cabinet also decided to allow financial benefits to the PTA (GIA) teachers whose services have not been taken on contract basis. The benefits include annual increase as well as honorarium for vacation period on notional basis at par with their counterparts with effect from June1, 2017. Medicines (drugs) and consumable would be free of cost to all the patients irrespective of any income criteria at all public health facilities in the State.
The cabinet decided to grant retirement and death gratuity to New Pension System (NPS) employees from prospective date on terms and conditions as applicable to the employees covered under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 subject maximum limit of 25 years of qualifying services.
Nod was given by the Cabinet to increase the honorarium of Panchayat Chowkidars from Rs 2350 to Rs 3050, an increase of Rs 700 per month in their monthly remuneration. During the budget announcement of Chief Minister Rs 300 was already enhanced earlier and with this decision there will be an increase of Rs 1000 (700+300).
Keeping in view the World Bank and JICA assisted upcoming new projects in Forest Department namely H.P. Forest for Prosperity Project (FPP) and HP Forest Ecosystem Management and livelihoods Improvement Project (HPFEM lIP), approval was accorded for manpower structure for preparation phase of the project. This is by way of re-positioning of the posts of externally aided project viz; Mid Himalayan Watershed Development Project and Swan River Project. The headquarter of FPP will be at Una and that of HPFEM lIP at Kullu/Shamshi and one regional office at Rampur. In both the projects 67 number manpower was required in preparation phase.